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Comments

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited November 2011

    I am 43 and had my last period the weekend of Se's from tx #2--that was 8 weeks ago and no sign of it again...not even a cramp.  My Onc said 50/50 chance at my age that it would be over for good...and Titan guess what my husband said? "than we won't have to worry bout birth control"--told him it was no guarantee my eggs were dead so cover up baby!  Think he should just go get snippered!  My body has been thru enough.

    Maggie

  • Angelice
    Angelice Member Posts: 1,116
    edited November 2011
    i was also diagnosed at 43 closer 4 months before 44 i was told 50/50 chance of periods coming back .. Not  that i miss them,  my hubby thinks said same as yours Mags20487 ,,, wishful thinking on his behalf , hmmmm .... not what we need !!!!!!!!!!!
  • sugar77
    sugar77 Member Posts: 1,328
    edited November 2011

    I will let you know how it goes.  BTW....it never materialized into an actual period.  It was just spotting that ended shortly after I posted this so I don't know what that means.  We shall see!

  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 743
    edited November 2011

    Im just happy that you all think about sex!  lol

    For some reason I just have no desire for that right now!  I so wish I did.  My poor hubby :( 

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 496
    edited November 2011

    I posted this a few pages back, but this board does move fast.

    I have had two periods since chemo ended in February. The first cycle was VERY heavy the next cycle was normal, but something strange happen my FOOBS started feeling heavy and constricting. Also started cramping with the second period.

  • christina1961
    christina1961 Member Posts: 450
    edited November 2011

    Titan, Yes, that is the test I am hoping to get.  I have read that the whole wrinkles thing is BS - apparently the drug companies who were pushing the HRT started that myth.  Estrogen has nothing to do with skin thickness.  I read up on a lot of that when my mother died in the early 90's following surgery for lung cancer (and they were still giving her HRT in the hospital!) and my sister got highly ER positive breast cancer 5 years ago following 17 years of HRT.  They started giving my sister HRT in her thirties!!  I was determined to never take it and never did - but falsely thought not taking it would protect me against breast cancer.  Like so many, there was no history of breast cancer in our family until my sister had it.

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited November 2011

    ksmatthews--did not say I was the one thinking about sex ;)  My husband just thinks I am so sexy now because of my strength thru this...Boy is he fooled!!! HAHA

    Maggie

  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 794
    edited November 2011

    Maggie, that's so sweet of your husband.  I'm about 9 weeks PFC and have a sparse buzz happening with my hair.  Both my DH and I have said we "miss" each other but neither have attempted.  I'm not really sure if I could handle the rejection, I'm bald and lop sided now, I really have no idea how to open up that topic of conversation. 

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited November 2011

    McCrimmon- I am 10 months PFC and my husband won't touch me! I too just can't bring myself to ask if he is disgusted my appearance (even though the boob looks pretty good, just no nipple) or if he's afraid I will act weird. I don't know, but it is getting frustrating. Any suggestions how to open this conversation with a husband?

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited November 2011

    I don't know but I think my DH was waiting for me to intitiate things...,,,I actually think that they are a little in awe of us and scared for us at the same time...so one day...many months later I actually said..umm...are we ever going to have sex or are we done with that......I just wanted to do something normal again! 

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 496
    edited November 2011

    I googled this on one of my nightly reads. Hahaha....

    I googled sex after a BMX. One lady used nipple covers to make the illusion of niples and it gave her the comfort level she needed to move forward with sex. Another used cute tank tops until construction was fully completed, but overall most ladies agreed that once they got going a new norm appeared. Can I get (REAL HERE) most stated that oral sex was on another level because the body re-adjusted and the nerves were compensating for other areas (something like that).

    One lady even stated that when her husband played with her FOOBS she got that warm fuzzy feeling againTongue out. It was a posting site sort of like the once we are in now. I'll dig up the link and post it later.

    But after reading all of that I got bothered and all those insecurities went out of the window. So I am happy to report we are DOING it again and a lot.

  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 743
    edited November 2011

    haha, cant believe we are talking about this!  

    We only do about 1 a month, but that just isn't enough,I want us to be normal again.

    I think he just thinks I dont feel like it, so think I have some ignitiating to do lol!

    (oral sex) haven't done that in years!  maybe time for that too hahahha 

  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,092
    edited November 2011

    my husband loves it when I initiate it.  He feels afraid of hurting me or asking too much of me.  It really is the level of love he has for me i guess.  Only if I am ready he has said.  Such a keeper. 

    Maggie

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited November 2011

    Yeah..I think my dh thought I would break or something..ha ha... oral sex huh?  hum..now there is a thought...

    I just think of sex..oral or not..as a way to getting back to "normal"...plus it is good exercise...good for the brain, good for the body..what's not to like..Laughing

    You guys..I hurt my foot and I have now idea how I did it..I'm wearing one of those boot things and icing it...of course my first thought that I had bone mets in my foot...then common sense kicked it..but he**..how can my foot be soo very painful and I can't remember hurting it? 

    Fighter...glad you are DOING IT alot...that's a good thing!  I love hearing this stuff...yeah..there is life during cancer and after cancer....

    and ksmathews..once a month...that's good too....

    ah well..we've got a lot of dh's and partners walking around with smiles on their faces..good thing!

  • HeidiToo
    HeidiToo Member Posts: 965
    edited November 2011
  • Lory48
    Lory48 Member Posts: 266
    edited November 2011

    Heidi, I LOVE this.. LOL  Now if I can get DH to get on board..literally...hahaa

  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 794
    edited November 2011

    Heidi, Very Funny! 

    Hope everyone is recovering well from thier surgeries.

    Had my weekly visit with RO this morning.  I hate the fact that he has to talk about my high rate of recurrence because of my TN status, also a little annoyed that he said it's because Tamoxifin & Herceptin won't help me however they come with side effects so it's good that I won't be getting them.  I looked at him and said, I would have loved the choice!!  Now I've got my anxiety up and I'm at work so no xanax for me. 

    On another note I asked my DH is maybe we could maybe try to do THAT, on Wed night before our house guest arrives for the weekend.  :)

  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 3,671
    edited November 2011

    Titan:  I am constantly doing minor injuries to my body since chemo.  I think it weakens our bones and takes a really long time to be back to normal.  Hope it isn't anything.

    Heidi:  LOL, thanks for the laugh.

    So, I found a PT office that charges $49 for the initial treatment and $45 for cash patients including PT & Chiropractic. It's about 15 minutes away and he is the 4th dr. who has told me frozen shoulder, so I go today at 2pm to confirm the diagnosis, go over the xrays and devise a plan that I can hopefully afford. Wish me luck.  

  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 794
    edited November 2011

    Good Luck MBJ, hope you get some pain relief

    Glad you found someone, if I may ask, what do you do now for your follow ups?  My husband and I plan on moving back to Philadelphia and I'm worried about health care coverage.

    Titan, I have really taken the exercise to heart and use my eliptical daily and each day I wake up sore and stiff, I know its from the Elipitcal, but I still worry all the time.  Hope your foot gets better soon.

    Thanks.

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited November 2011

    MBJ- I wish you lived here! My insurance ran out for PT back in August, so my therapist charges me $15 per session to stretch me. I do the exercises at home before I go and she stretches me there. That is even cheaper than my co-pay was -$20.

    I sure hope you get some relief!

  • inmate4232010
    inmate4232010 Member Posts: 288
    edited November 2011

    Hello all.....I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving.

    I do love the discussion about sex.  I can't even entertain the thought even though my husband tries to initiate something, really anything.  Poor guy.  He does remain understanding and I love him for that.

    I have a question for you all.  A little background first:  I am currently on my third round of chemo drugs.  Original diagnosis was april 2010 with lumpectomy, chemo (A/C and Taxol) and radiation (seven weeks). Finished treatment march 2011.  Recurrence july 2011 with 12 new tumors in the same breast. This time I had bmx followed by cisplatin and gemzar (3 months).  Finished Oct 27th.  November 3rd woke up to a new "bump" on my chest, just left of center.  Wanted to ignore it but I could actually SEE it in the mirror.  Now this was NOT there just 2 days prior.  Already scheduled for a blood test to check my counts and showed the nurse.  Long story short, 2 hours later I was in the surgeons office getting it removed.  CT scan the next day (already scheduled) and by 7 pm that night the onc called with the news.  Scan was clear, yeah, but "bump" was positive, boo.  I am now on 4 drugs, navelbine, methotrexate, 5 FU and leucovorin.  My onc called it a recurrence, but the chemo he has put me on seems to be given for stage IV.   

    Here's the question:  Has anyone who is not stage IV been given so many different chemos?  I am worried that if I do go to stage IV, am I running out of options?  What will be left?  

    Aside from waking up every morning and basically molesting myself checking for more "bumps" I feel pretty good and people tell me I don't look sick.  Obviously they can't read the constant worry on my face.  This whole process is aging me way too fast! 

    Thanks for listening! 

  • OBXK
    OBXK Member Posts: 689
    edited November 2011

    My right arm is shrinking and the onco and bs nurse, don't seem to think it's a problem. Onco said it's muscle wasting. Anyone else heard of this? Since nerves feed muscles, maybe a cut nerve or nerve damaged by chemo?

  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 626
    edited November 2011

    Just checking in after 5 days out west - skiing and visiting my son. A lovely break.  

    Inmate: so sorry to hear about the recurrence. I get why you're wondering about "what's left for stage 4?" but it seems to me that the best way to avoid that is to stop the BC in its tracks. Don't even go there. It sounds like your oncs want to try new cocktails because the previous options presumably left some remaining cancer cells that continued to grow. Chemo's a bit of a crapshoot, but let's hope this one delivers the jackpot. Glad to hear you're feeling and looking good - a good omen perhaps.

    Titan - what a nuisance with your foot, hope it feels better soon. I guess your running's on hold.  

    OBXK - is it the side of your surgery? I can't provide any insight, what you're saying makes some sense (and I guess it's better than LE, right?). Maybe a PT could help. 

    MBJ - hope you get some relief for your shoulder soon.

    Healing vibes and hopeful thoughts to anyone else experiencing aches and pains. With BC, our minds naturally go to the dark place, which just sucks doesn't it?

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 652
    edited November 2011

    Teka-thank you! That is what I need to concentrate on, being up and about at home for the week end! I am really nervous about bmx tomorrow! I need to get stuff done but keep coming here to read!

    Has anybody had tomo radiation? Met with RO that said I may be a candidate for it the only thing is I have to drive a bit further but I will if it is better for me. He gave me 3 choices, a hospital by my house or the cancer center where I usually go or the furthest place that has tomo. Sad thing is that if I go for the tomo he won't be my RO and I really like him! He also said that if no cancer is found at surgery that I have the choice to not do radiation, and just do the wait and see approach. I asked what he advised and his answer was "I hate cancer. I would do the radiation." I like that answer! I wonder if my insurance covers tomo, I think I have heard it mentioned that someone was denied coverage for it. I know all insurance is different but I better check.....

    Edited to say radiation, not chemo.

  • inmate4232010
    inmate4232010 Member Posts: 288
    edited November 2011

    thanks Teka and Luah......you are both right.  there are a lot of options.  I just hate that cancer makes you both strong and somewhat of a whiner at the same time.  Thanks so much for your support.  I continue to be so appreciative of everyone on this board!

  • inmate4232010
    inmate4232010 Member Posts: 288
    edited November 2011

    Bak94......I had tomo therapy and would be happy to chat with you in detail about it.  I am also in Seattle.  Can I pm you?

  • OBXK
    OBXK Member Posts: 689
    edited November 2011

    Luah - my autocorrect, wanted you to be Lush ;)

    Yes - much better than LE! It is on the side that I had the total mx. Just finished PT for broken kneecap last Friday. I've added some hand weights to my daily routine, which includes pilates - which I love! Big freaking platform, but who uses the formal living room anymore?

    So glad you enjoyed the time with your son.



  • inmate4232010
    inmate4232010 Member Posts: 288
    edited November 2011

    Bak94.....I went to tomo therapy at Swedish in Ballard.  Dr Landis is wonderful as well as all 3 of the technicians.  I started at Swedish, first hill, for measurements then on to Highline to start standard radiation treatment for the first week then on to tomo in Ballard.  The tomo therapy was not open yet so they started me first with standard treatment because they didn't want to wait that long (I was the first breast cancer patient at the new facility).  Since I had positive internal mammary nodes that still showed positive after chemo I had to add a breathing tube to the process to keep my heart and lungs from getting radiated. Moving to tomo was wonderful because I didn't have to do the breathing tube any more and I experienced very little burning.  It wouldn't hurt to have your RO office check on the insurance issue with tomo.  You can also call see if your insurance company has an advocate department that can help you fish out any potential issues with them and future treatment plans.  

    I would be more than happy to chat with you more.  

    I understand the pre-surgery nerves and wish I could offer advice to alleviate them.  The surgery is actually physically not bad.  Not really painful and I was home in less than 24 hours.  The drains proved to be the biggest hassle but very manageable.  I hope I didn't go into it too much. You will do great!  

    p.s.  here is a link to an article on the new tomo opening.  BTW that's me in the pic :)

    http://www.myballard.com/2011/02/04/ballard-home-to-state-of-the-art-cancer-treatment

    ...don't know why the link didn't work but that is the site. 

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 652
    edited November 2011

    Inmate -feel free to pm me anytime. Ballard is where I would be going. Was insurance an issue?

    Thanks for all your info!

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 652
    edited November 2011

    Innmate-I reread your post, yes I will check with insurance. What was the breathing tube like? Did you have to lay there with a tube down your throat? I don't think I could do that, my gag reflex is very strong! It would be worth the extra miles to go to Ballard to not have that! I live in the south end, Renton, Maple Valley area.

    I have positive im nodes, but they appear to be gone after chemo. Did radiation get rid of yours? I am "technically" stage 4, as one of my im nodes spread a bit further under the breast bone (best I can explain it) or is possibly a mediastinal node, but more in the im area. It confuses me, all I know is it is inoperable and chemo has seemed to wipe it out. MO and BS say it presents more like stage 3 and RO said I could choose which it is so I pick stage 3 since that is the treatment plan! We sound like we have similiar cases!

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